Lockheed Wins $989M for Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon

Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control, Orlando, Florida, has been awarded a $988,832,126 definitization modification (PZ0010) to previously-awarded contract FA8681-18-C-0021 for Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon critical design review, test and production readiness support. The contract modification will definitize the contract terms, specifications and price. Work will be performed at Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed Dec. 31, 2022. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $988,832,126. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.

Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) is expected to travel at Mach 5 or higher, to overcome enemy defenses. The target to develop a hypersonic weapon is set for 2021, with initial operational capability scheduled to be achieved by fiscal 2022. The United States Air Force (USAF) performed the maiden flight test of ARRW hypersonic weapon on a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft in June 2019. In addition, Lockheed Martin is already working on Hypersonic Conventional Strike Weapon (HCSW) program. HCSW is a hypersonic boost glide development and test program capable of launch from a B-52 with the ability to penetrate long-range air defense areas.Lockheed Wins $989M for Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon